alternative Aotearoa: niche subculture

Emerging from mainstream culture in Aotearoa as part of the 1960s youth revolution, referred to as the underground in the late '60s and the counter-culture in the early '70s, alternative Aotearoans were distinguished by their rebellion against the establishment, a generic non-conformist stance, and the intent to collectively pioneer a diverse cultural and political movement to provide a positive alternative to mainstream kiwi society.

In 2016 this movement is now so diffuse that it's necessary to provide it with a media focus, and a way to collaborate to enhance the common good. People who transcend the confines of mainstream culture and traditional belief systems need a counterpoint cultural niche in which to operate. Such an arena can provide a foundation for us to co-create a better world. Operating from this source of mutual strength, we can intervene in the mainstream in helpful ways, as catalysts.

political liaison

Our initial consensus was that both wings of the establishment were functioning as terminal parts of the problem. The obvious way to provide a positive alternative was to commit to functioning as the solution. Dualism operates in the human psyche as a binary strait-jacket which forces people to polarise around binary choices - but we don't have to see each of our choices as a dichotomy. Clever folk will seek a suitable third option. On the political spectrum, this means rejecting the left & right wings in favour of the center. Centrists like to be non-aligned. From there, they can intervene in support of good ideas from either side, and explain what is wrong with the established left & right ideologies and policies. Progressive centrists seem radical if they reject both establishment parties, so the task is to explain how a radical center can catalyse political progress by moving mainstream debate beyond entrenched positions.

design

As a brand, alternative Aotearoa will operate as cultural identifier, and as an alternative political movement with catalytic intent, liaison, networking and think-tank, to the extent that participants are able to develop it. Autonomous function will be steered by a core group of seven, initially, then thirteen. Anyone who identifies with the concept ought to join - you may volunteer to help with the steering if you have the time, motivation, and expertise.

This site was created in 2011 in the expectation of global system crash: the necessity was to provide a positive alternative to the survivalist option. Imaginary money has been keep the capitalist system going since the gfc 8 years ago - but that only works as long as everyone continues to subscribe to the delusion. Are you that stupid? If not, read the next page (purpose) which addresses that context, before you consider joining via the network page...